8 Days Southern Italy
Day 1 — USA / ROME. Tour members gather at the ticket counter at the airport three hours prior to our departure to Rome. Dinner and breakfast are served in-flight.
DAY 2 – ROME/NAPLES. Upon arrival at Rome airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred by private bus to Sorrento. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 3 – NAPLES/SORRENTO. This morning, full day visit of Naples, one of Italy’s largest cities. From the bustling alleyways of Spaccanapoli to the tranquil cloisters of Santa Chiara, join us in discovering the many different facets of the inimitable city of Naples. Your orientation tour includes a stroll through the historic center, hidden piazzas and countless artisan workshops. Visit the Chiesa del Gesù Nuovo, and the Duomo, where every year the people of Naples gather to pray that the blood of their patron Saint Gennaro liquefies, thus ensuring a prosperous year for the city and its inhabitants. Back on the street, you will have lunch with the famous Neapolitan pizza and the opportunity to taste a strong espresso Napolitano with the locals. In the late afternoon depart to Sorrento for dinner and overnight.
DAY 4 – SORRENTO. Few resorts in the world match the very special charm of Sorrento. A favorite with the international jet set, the resort on the bay of Naples boasts an exquisite climate, beautiful beaches, trendy shops and boutiques, museums and galleries. Enjoy time on your own. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 5 – SORRENTO/CAPRI/SORRENTO. Breakfast at the hotel. Depart to a full day visit to the Isle of Capri. Once in the port of Capri, you can choose to take the funicular up to the famous Piazza Umberto. The square, better known as ‘la piazzaetta’, is perched high above the sea and offers a panoramic view of the Bay of Naples and Ischia. At the main Piazza, you will find many designer chops and luxury boutiques or you can simply sit at a café and enjoy a gelato or Prosecco Mimosa. A favorite place on Capri is Anacaori. This old world village that once captured the hearts of writers, artists and poets is dainty, delicate and quiet. Walk through narrow streets lined with Grecian-style, whitewashed villas, ancient churches and small bookshops. Taste the local limoncello, made with local lemons. Return to Sorrento. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 6 – SORRENTO/AMALFI/SORRENTO. Today after breakfast, depart to Amalfi. This small town is dominated by the great Cathedral and its main streets lined with small shops and elegant bars. Merchants display their wares outside and nothing could be more pleasant that browsing through stalls of herbs and spices, jewelry, shoes, the beautiful handmade Amalfi paper, and local lemon specialties such lemon soap and lemon liqueurs. Suggest is a stop in at one of the oldest and most famous pastry makers in southern Italy dating back to the 1800’s. Sfogliatelle, cannoli, marzapane, ricotta and pear pie, limoncello and gelato. Taste a limoncello chocolate drop, or Avola almonds covered in chocolate. Whatever you decide to order, take a seat outside in the piazza at one of the small café tables. Ravello follows.This quaint town, often called the city between ‘Sea & Sky’, is suspended high above the coast, with sweeping views that span everything from the Tyrrhenian Sea to the mountains inland. Ravello is hailed the ‘International City of Music’ and is known for its precious panoramic view from the gardens of Villa Cimbrone. Visit also the Cathedral and Villa Rufolo. Balance of the day at your leisure. Return to Sorrento for dinner and overnight.
DAY 7 – SORRENTO / POMPEI / ROME. After breakfast depart for a morning excursion to Pompeii, an ancient city that was covered by volcanic lava during the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius over 2,000 years ago. Also visit the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary. Continue to Rome for dinner and overnight.
DAY 8 – ROME/DEPARTURE. This morning, return home with memories of the people and places of Italy!